Radiopaque nitinol alloys for medical devices

摘要

There is described an alloy comprising titanium in an amount ranging from about 30 to about 52 atomic percent; platinum in an amount ranging from greater than 0 to about 15 atomic percent; and the balance nickel. A radiopaque nitinol medical device such as a stent for use with or implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The stent is made from the superelastic alloy. The added ternary element (platinum) improves the radiopacity of the nitinol stent comparable to that of a stainless steel stent of the same size and strut pattern coated with a thin layer of gold. The nitinol stent has improved radiopacity yet retains its superelastic and shape memory behavior and further maintains a thin strut/wall thickness for high flexibility.